{"id":360514,"date":"2021-03-29T17:05:05","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T16:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/?post_type=learning-centre&p=360514"},"modified":"2024-04-15T17:16:50","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T16:16:50","slug":"go-shallow-for-a-deeper-story","status":"publish","type":"learning-centre","link":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/learning-centre\/go-shallow-for-a-deeper-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Go Shallow for a Deeper Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In order for an image to resonate with an audience, it needs to provoke emotion and, as photographers, we have a variety of different tools at our disposal that can help achieve this. However, of all the countless functions, settings, accessories, and techniques that can make an enormous difference to how our photographs look, depth-of-field is arguably the most powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We look at how depth-of-field can be used in your storytelling below. But first, let\u2019s discuss what it actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo \u00a9 Alison Conklin <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is Depth-of-Field?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you make an image, there is usually a specific point of focus. Maybe it\u2019s a person\u2019s face, a beautiful flower, or a delicious plate of food. Moving forwards and backwards from this point of focus, there is a proportion of the image that is sharp, before it fades away into a smooth blur (otherwise known as bokeh). Depth-of-field refers to how large this area of focus is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a portrait that shows someone\u2019s face perfectly sharp, but everything behind them as a blur, has a shallow depth-of-field. Alternatively, a landscape where a rock in the foreground is as sharp as a tree on the horizon has a much deeper depth-of-field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo \u00a9 Karen Hutton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Achieve It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The way to control depth-of-field is by adjusting the aperture of your lens. For X Series cameras<\/a>, this can be done by using the control dial on your camera (if using an XC lens), or twisting the aperture ring on the lens itself (if using an XF lens). And don\u2019t forget: the lower the f-stop, the shallower the depth-of-field. So F2.8, for example, gives shallow depth-of-field, while F16 offers deep depth-of-field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other ways to emphasise a shallow depth-of-field include using longer focal lengths, using smaller angles of view, getting closer to your subject, or moving your subject further away from whatever\u2019s behind or in front of it (if it\u2019s possible to do so).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo \u00a9 Bryan Minear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Use It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A shallow depth-of-field can have a profound effect in any genre of photography. The ability to separate a subject from its background is a great way to attract the viewer\u2019s attention and, in turn, provoke that all-important emotion we mentioned earlier. Here\u2019s why\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. It\u2019s Captivating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s a lot going on in an image, it draws a viewer\u2019s eye to many different points in the frame at the same time. This can be confusing, and often diverts attention away from the story you\u2019re trying to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By using a shallow depth-of-field in your photographs, it is possible to blur backgrounds that might distract the viewer. This emphasises the focal point of the image and the story, encouraging the audience to focus their contemplation where it matters and, consequently, consider the issue more deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo \u00a9 Brandon Ruffin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. It\u2019s Immersive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as helping you direct your audience\u2019s attention, in portraiture particularly, a shallow depth-of-field can offer a great insight into how your subject is feeling. The impact of your portrait is only as powerful as the emotion it portrays and, the more powerful that emotion, the more all-consuming it can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By using a shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject, the image can convey the enormity of that person\u2019s emotion to the viewer. Whether it is euphoric joy, or overwhelming sorrow, this technique shows that in the power of the moment, nothing else matters.<\/p>\n\n\n

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